The Scott Common Sense Community

Scott Common Sense is all about making the most of the time you spend with family and friends. From unique ideas on how to be a savvy traveler, to how to create affordable get-togethers, the Scott Common Sense Community is your go-to destination for tips and advice. There are tons of articles to read through and fun organizational tools and online calculators to experiment with. This is a screenshot of the homepage:

I’ve teamed up with Scott Common Sense to giveaway one $50 Visa Gift Card to put towards those backyard barbeques, along with coupons for Scott Long Lasting products. Just leave your favorite summer tip in the comments section below for your chance to win!

For extra entries:

Blog about this giveaway, linking back to this post and to www.scottcommonsense.com.

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Please leave a separate comment for each entry and leave a valid email address or blog URL in your comment. US entries only. This contest ends at 11:59 pm EST on Tuesday, July 14th, 2009. Winner will be chosen at random, and has 3 days to claim their prize.

Summer tip? Be prepared for everything. Make sure that first aid supplies are stocked,doctors names and numbers handy, On rainy days and kids are bored bring out some fun things to do that you had hidden for the kids to enjoy. Thank you!

My favorite summer tip is to ALWAYS apply that sun Block BEFORE you head out the door! Do NOT under estimate the harmful Effects of the sun’s rays! They are very damaging and over the course of a lifetime they are cancer causing.

After a few hours outdoors Re-Apply the Sun Block., Apply after sweating and swimming of course!

Stay in the shade as much as possible – always apply the sunscreen. Keep plenty of cold water and/or gatorade available and I moisten wash cloths and put them in a ziploc to cool the little ones off when needed.

Me and my 5 girlfriends take turns hosting a backyard BBQ. We each hold one group BBQ during the summer and we split the food preparation. We rotate so nobody has to do the same thing every time. One person holds the party and provides cups, plates, napkins, spices and condiments; one peson brings the meat, one person brings a couple salads or side dishes; one person brings chips, dips, fruits and veggies; and one person brings desserts. We can trade off with each other if – if the person who has side dishes wants to do desserts she can switch with the dessert person if they’re interested.

My favorite summer tip is to freeze water in bottles to keep drinks cold an then I can use the water as it melts to drink an I wrap in it a towel an we use the dampness of the towel to also cool off with,so much easier to carry an it stays cold!

A good tip for tick removal during the summer is to apply a generous amount of liquid soap to a cotton ball. Cover the tick with the soap-soaked cotton ball and hold it there for 15-20 seconds. The tick will come out on its own and will be sticking to the cotton ball when you remove it. It works every time, and no trauma!

I follow you on twitter and tweeted your contest
mhohertz Learn about the Scott Common Sense Community and enter to win $50 Visa gift card from @ohMariana! http://bit.ly/FOO8Tless than 5 seconds ago from web

My favorite summer tip would be to bring bottles of ice water with me wherever I go. The bottled water you buy when you’re out is never cold enough on a really hot day so it ends up being lukewarm while you’re drinking it, whereas you can pack a bottle of your own with filtered water & ice from home and be comfy.

My Favorite summer tip is to find things to do that don’t cost money and do one thing a week that does.
Things that won’t cost you Walks in parks, free days at the zoo and museums, play dates with friends and sprinkler fun in the yard.
.-= Tricia @Night owl mama´s last blog ..It’s Not Too Late Send A Free E-Card Today =-.

My favorite summer tip is to bring a cooler with you when you go out. You won’t be tempted to stop & over pay for cold drinks. This is great especially if you have kids!
.-= Ginny´s last blog ..A Girls Must Have ~ The Skirty =-.

My favorite Summer tip is when going to the beach always bring a spray bottle of vinegar or some meat tenderizer. This will help take the sting out of a Jelly Fish sting. I always use foundation that has sunscreen already in it.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com

My favorite summer tip is always have mosquito protection on and spray again as often as needed. Also make sure your dogs are protected by heartworm medication. One mosquito bite can be deadly or at the very least painful because of treatment needed to combat heartworm disease to a dog.iheartsweeping@aol.com

My tip is to always keep sunscreen in your purse….that way if you forget to put it on your kids before you leave the house, you’ll always have it on hand.
.-= kellie´s last blog ..Organically Hatched Review ~ With Giveaway =-.

always have an ice chest with water in the car, otherwise it is not safe in the car with the extreem heat, anyone curious. see how sheryl crow links it to her cancer. anyways we also always have water in the fridge along with aloe vera and plenty of gatorade and pedialite.

I keep a tote bag handy with sunscreen and bug spray (we have a lot of deer ticks in our area). Whenever we go outside or go to the park or hiking, the tote bag is ready to go with us. This way we never forget to put on sunscreen and protect ourselves from bug bites.

When packing a picnic, put some damp paper towels in a ziploc baggie. Throw the bag in your ice chest. When it’s time to clean up, these are an effective way to clean up messy hands. They also feel lovely on a hot day!

whatever drink your kids favorite is.. ours is koolaid. pour into an ice tray and freeze. then whenever you pour up that drink, put the flavored ice cubes in it! it makes it stay cold and the kids like it better because it doesn’t get watered down as the ice melts

Keep water easily available when anyone’s outside. I like to fill up reusable bottles in the evening and put them in the freezer overnight. Then I tuck them on the back porch and under a tree near the patio so everyone can rehydrate without thinking it’s too much trouble to come back into the house. I also keep a roll of paper towels in a plastic covered cake dish near the hose so kids and gardeners (meaning me) can wash and dry hands with ease.

My favorite summer tip is to relax and let everything else go. For at least a week, let the dishes pile up, do no laundry, and eat Twinkies for breakfast and Taco Bell for dinner. The kids love it, the hubby loves it ( because you are relaxed and happy and have more energy for hanky-panky), and you will thrive as you sip your Mai-Tai and read your new issue of Instyle.
Alicia Webster5webs@comcast.net

I like to cute my corn on the cob into “chips”. Just cut them in slices! They are quick and easy to eat that way…PLUS the corn doesn’t get stuck in your teeth.
.-= Crissa Robertson´s last blog ..A Dieters Dream =-.

my mother told me to wear a dryer sheet on my person somewhere while outside and it would keep the bugs away. so I stuck one to the back of my shirt, and surprisingly it worked!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Moving is NOT fun & Tmobile is EVIL =-.

Even if you don’t think you’ll be outside for a long time, put sunblock on you anyways. That sun can be brutal and you can have a sunburn in minutes if you are very sensitive.
.-= AmandaK´s last blog ..The Center Of The Universe Book Review =-.

My favorite summer tip is to carry around a bag of beach toys, change of clothes and a towel in your car. You never know when you’re going to need it! Also, carry a large zip-loc for wet bathing suits.
.-= Nicole Ibarrondo´s last blog ..It isn’t easy being green…but we can help =-.

Keep a container of baby powder in the car and sprinkle it on damp, sandy feet after a beach day — the sand will dry up and brush right off easily! No more sand in the car!
.-= Karen´s last blog ..All Done, or Almost Done? =-.

Cook to order on the grill (at the same time as others) to save yourself from having too many leftover dried up burgers, etc. I find that I am unlikely to eat from the grill when everything is just loaded on it and cooked to death. I always cook everything the way our guests like it, and everything goes; and our guests don’t go away hungry.

Here in Florida where it is really hot right now, I love to make smoothies with all kinds of fresh fruits. One of my favorite healthy smoothies that I also use as a meal replacement is to put ice, a scoop of powdered strawberry slimfast, a scoop of muscle milk light in vanilla flavor (this is a protein powder and very tasty on it’s own too), a banana that I have frozen the night before, (this is important because a frozen banana makes the smoothie thicker) skim milk and then blend. I could drink one everyday, they are really good.

One that I’m re-learning is to put sunscreen on, wear a watch or have someone timing us when we’re swimming and don’t stay out in the sun for more than 30-45 minutes at a time. Then rest in the shade, re-apply sunscreen, and repeat. Having someone check for growing pinkness would also be good. I’ve been burned twice this summer already and it seems like this lesson is harder to learn than it should be.

My best summer tip is to have your freezer stocked with Otter Pops. My kids love them, and they really help to cool you down after being out in the sun for a long time. Oddly enough, they’ve also come in very handy this week with my coming down with strep throat!

NEVER leave the house without sunscreen! As a pale-skinned redhead, I’ve been following this step my entire life. Now that I’m 32, I look a lot younger b/c I don’t have the wrinkles or skin worries my other friends have.
.-= she´s last blog ..Week of 7/6 Giveaways! =-.

If you are going on a road trip with little ones, make sure to print out a map for them too, so they can follow along. When they ask “where are we now” you can just point to it on the map. They love it. Thanks.
.-= Telisha´s last blog ..My 6th Win =-.

A wading pool filled with just 1-2 inches of water is my favorite summer tip! It’s shallow enough to keep my toddlers from drowning, but enough cold water to keep them cool and entertained! A little piece of Heaven for this single momma! LOL
.-= Alexia´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: "Like ma hat?" =-.

I take some frozen gel packs to the grocery store with me and put them in the bags with my milk and other cold and frozen food. I find that my milk stays good beyond the expiration date if I keep it very cold on the 15 minute drive home.

My summer tip is be outside as much as you can. I have a nice awning over my patio so I can read outside while I wait for my husband to grill. The best part is being able to eat outside. We have tiki torches to keep away most insects, it’s a wonderful way to enjoy a meal.

Summer tip: When going to any outdoor events on a warm or hot day, we always carry a couple of face cloths in the cooler. They stay icey cold and are perfect to drape over the back of your neck or forehead for instant relief.

Make sure you have a a fun sprinkler head so that you can water your lawn and let the kids have fun at the same time.
bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
.-= Bebemiqui´s last blog ..There Is Nothing New Under The Sun =-.

I always wear my moisturizer with sunscreen in it, even if I don’t put on my makeup. I have a fair complexion and burn fast. Also, to avoid “agespots” on your hands, put moisturizer or sunscreen there, too.

I live in Southern California where it gets really hot, so my tip for the summer is to invest in things that reduce your cooling bill – for instance, we tinted our windows a couple of years ago, and this year we got weather stripping on our front door.

Grow your own herb garden in a container. Plant a few of your favorite herbs and put them outside your back door. Water daily in the hot sun. As you need to make things for a party or dinner, you’ll have fresh herbs to make it extra special. It’s so easy and very rewarding.

Like everyone drink plenty of water. Try to do any outside activities in the early or late part of the day. Combine as many activities as you can to do at one time. I take out garbage and put up the mail at right before dark. Since I have to get in the car to go there, it makes sence to do togather.

I have a ladder that has a paper towel holder, perfect for Scott paper towels. I use it all summer for painting and picking cherries in the back yard, the paper towel holder comes in handy when things get messy.

We sit outside a lot on summer evenings, and we turn on the sprinklers for the kids and dogs – lots of happy memories of when the kiddos were little – screaming when they got wet, being chased by wet, barking dogs!

If you can, freeze the foods before you put them in your cooler for a long day trip. This works for sandwiches, juices, and meats and hotdogs for the grill.
.-= Deci´s last blog ..1806 Scott County =-.

My favorite summer tip is to book your summer vacation for next summer this summer so you can extend your beach trip throughout the winter if you go online and see that your beach house is indeed reserved for your 2010 visit. These happy thoughts & memories can keep me going on through cold gray winter days! Thanks! senekers@comcast.net

My favorite summer tip is to avoid using the oven. We try to cook up things that don’t require the oven (or at least shorter cook times). This forces us to get creative.
.-= Tiffany´s last blog ..Free Sample :: Bodycology Body Lotion =-.

A day set aside completely to listen to your favorite music (per say the beatles) laying in a hammock by a private beach on a sunny day when there’s that perfect amount of breeze where it makes you just cool enough to be perfectly comfortable laying in a bathing suite outside.

I always pack the kids water in their container cups wherever we go. No matter what they are always hungary or thirsty. This helps keep them hydrated and they don’t complain as much… I pack snacks in zip bags(gram sticks, ritz crackers, fruit snacks, ect). Always be prepared is the best tip with food and drinks!
.-= Beth G´s last blog ..Blessings Abound Reliable Steamboy Steam Mop Giveaway =-.

My summer tip is to invest in an insulated bag such as those sold at the supermarket and to carry it with you if there’s even a slight chance that you’ll be food shopping or bringing home part of a restaurant meal.

I keep summer simple. I don’t plan big events I just let them happen. I will randomly stop at the waterpark with my grandsons just because it looks like a good day to play. I make sure there is always a change of clothes and towels in the van, just in case we decide to get wet while we are there!
.-= Linda S´s last blog ..Not a Whole Lot to Say =-.

When the weather is great, we like to go out for walks, to the park, to the beach, camping, wherever we can be outside. Staying inside for too long makes you sluggish and lose motivation. We know from experience, so we’ve decided to not stay inside for too long. However, do make sure you protect yourself from extreme heat. Sunblock, lots of water, and don’t over do it outside.

My summer tip. Do your outside activity in the morning or late evening and go to the library, museum, mall … and do indoor activities. And water. I can’t stress it enough! Weather you’re inside or out you need lots of water.

Give everyone in the family their own water bottle to bring on summer outings to the beach, park, etc. We use Sigg bottles and put them in the refrigerator the night before so they are nice and cold. Having cold water in a special bottle encourages my kids to stay hydrated on hot days.

My favorite tip is to turn the ceiling fan on when you have mosquitos in the room when you are trying to sleep. The fax creates just enough wind that the skeeters go away ! yippee jtrophy at aol dot com

Summer clothes are a lot less bulky then winter clothes. So when going on vacation, to make life easier for you, pack an entire outfit for each kid in a labeled one gallon ziploc bag. Then you can just hand the child the bag and getting dressed is a snap so you can spend more time at the beach

Turn your air conditioner down to a cooler degree at night and really let the house cool down while it doesn’t have to battle the sun. The house will stay cooler longer during the day after a night of cool down.

When going out to eat, bring a cooler with several ice packs so you can store the leftovers inside. That way, you can enjoy the rest of your evening without having to run home and put the food in the fridge.

The summer tips I usually follow are ones that help lower energy usage and costs: for example, raising your thermostat to 78 degrees in the summer, raising it even more when you’re away for more than 8 hours, and keeping the shades closed while your a/c is on, all can really help with efficient energy consumption.

My #1 tip this summer is to make sure I use a sunshade for my car windshield when the car is parked. We’ve had triple-digit temperatures most days this month, and my husband measured the temperature inside his parked car at nearly 140 degrees yesterday, even WITH a sunshade on and the windows slightly open!

My summer tip is that the summer is the perfect time to go through your closet, and get rid of all the things you no longer wear or need. Early September is the perfect time for a garage sale, so plan one and sell the things you decide to get rid of!

Thanks for the giveaway… Hang a wasp trap in your yard (well away from your BBQ / outdoor eating area) a few days before that big weekend get together you planned, so that you can thin the wasp population a few days before the party !

Once in a while (not all the time) I turn the hose on low, and just hand it to Chubby-huggy (usually while hubby is grilling because she won’t leave him alone) and the look of delight on her face-priceless! Of course, I make sure she can’t reach the grill, or she would have that fire put out right away.

Prepare your own meals… and summer time is the prime time! Given the economics and the way food establishment employee’s (often part-time teenage help) desecrate your food – note: bugs are the least of your concerns – it’s more than common sense to eat at home.

I always carry sunscreen, water and snacks with me in the summer. The sunscreen protects our skin. The water hydrates us. The snacks nourish us. The sun and heat will wreak havoc if you’re not careful.
.-= hotpants™´s last blog ..The Talk of Tinseltown, Week 3 =-.

I love sangria, but it always loses flavor when the ice melts. Instead of adding juice to the wine, I freeze juice into ice cubes and pop a couple in before guests arrive. Then I serve them their drinks with a couple extra cubes and some fresh fruit! Keeps the drink from watering down and the colored cubes add interest!
.-= Molly´s last blog ..So not tech savvy…. =-.

Before booking a hotel room for a summer trip, research online. Booking either several months in advance or right before you leave (when hotels may have many empty rooms to fill), can lead to great deals.
.-= Larry W. Harms´s last blog ..White Screen Of Death =-.

We love to entertain in the summer and have lots of barbeques. Very often the kids feel left out as the parents (us) sit and tend to the grill, make drinks and just get caught up in grown up conversations. Two very inexpensive ways to keep the kids entertained are buying lots of chalk because the little girls love to play hop scotch using the sidewalk in our backyard that leads down to the lake and the little boys love playing horseshoes. These are 2 quick, easy, no set up involved ways to keep your kids having fun, staying active, and in sight of where you can see them and still have some adult fun too! Thank you so much for the chance to enter.

I get all of the fresh summer fruit I can at great season prices and freeze everything! Then in our long MN winter, we can have frozen fruit and I know exactly where it came from. And I also support our local growers!
.-= Cori Westphal´s last blog ..Win a Jump Start World membership! ENDS 07/14/09 =-.

My favorite summer tip is to keep it cool inside and out. As in, make homemade frozen smoothies, take cold (as you can stand) showers, make ice cream floats (root beer, orange soda, cola, or any flavor you can think of with vanilla ice cream), chill some homemade popsicles, anything that lets you cool down quick and simple. And never overlook the value of a good box fan!
postedcontests(at)gmail.com
.-= Sadiana!´s last blog ..Free Book Friday! =-.

Put sunscreen on your kids!! I grew up in Florida and back in the 70’s it wasn’t well known the damage the sun could do to a childs skin. Now I am 38 years old, have had a melanoma surgically removed, over 20 pre cancers burned of my arms and legs, and had my face undergo a carac treatment where you put the lotion on for 10 days and it reveals and eliminates the precancers without scarring-my entire face was speckled as if I had chicken pox. I now have 7 and 5 year old fair skinned daughters and we use nothing less than a 50 spf and preferable a 70.

Always carry sunscreen that way if you go out and you’re longer than you expect or if you decide to stop somewhere you will be prepared!
.-= TAMMY´s last blog ..Busy Body Book Organizer Review & Giveaway =-.

I bring fabric softener sheets in my purse/diaper bags. I rub them on my kids’ clothes. They keep the mosquitoes away. I’m always a little leery to use the insect repellent spray on the kids because of the chemicals.